JUN 1 --(Seattle) – DEA Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Arnold R. Moorin and the United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington, Jeffrey Sullivan, announced that on May 29, 2009, Theodore J. Kapanjie, 38, of Seattle, Washington, entered a guilty plea to failing to maintain records relating to the receipt and distribution of controlled substances as required by federal law. This offense is punishable by up to one-year imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.

Federal law requires that all licensed medical practitioners maintain records of controlled substances received and dispensed by them in their practices. This is to insure full accountability as to the disposition of controlled substances and to prevent the unlawful diversion of narcotics by health care professionals. On nine separate occasions during 2007 and 2008, contrary to law, Kapanjie ordered into his practice from a pharmaceutical supply company quantities of controlled substances, which he ingested himself, and/or provided to family members, without making or maintaining any records of his receipt or dispensing of such drugs as required by law. Further, these drugs were not dispensed pursuant to any written prescriptions by a physician.

Hydrocodone is a Schedule III controlled substance. Clonazepam, diazepam, zolpidem, and phentermine are Schedule IV controlled substances. Each of these substances is controlled due to its abuse potential and addictive properties.

Kapanjie is scheduled to be sentenced by United States Magistrate Judge James P. Donohue on August 26, 2009. While awaiting sentencing, Kapanjie was ordered to submit to drug testing and treatment. Kapanjie has already surrendered his federal license to prescribe controlled substances to the Drug Enforcement Administration.